Disposable dental waste filter device

ABSTRACT

A disposable dental waste filter device has a body having a receiving end, and a separable cap having a tip end, the body for receiving and capturing therein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip end and the separable cap. A disposable dental waste filter device also has a body having a receiving end, a central lumen for receiving and capturing amalgam, a filter, and a circular leg portion having an exterior channel, and a separable cap having a tip end, a circular outer rim having a circular end ridge portion with the ridge portion adapted to be inserted into the exterior channel of the body for a snap fit engagement between the cap and the body, the body for receiving and capturing therein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip end and the separable cap.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/926,044, filed on Jul. 10, 2020, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a disposable dental filter device for useduring a dental procedure and more particularly to a disposable dentalwaste filter device for capturing debris and other matter from a mouthof a patient during a dental procedure.

During a dental procedure it is important to be able to remove saliva,blood, water, tooth fragments, metals, and other debris or fluids fromthe mouth of a patient. Removal of this matter allows a dentist to beable to perform a procedure in an unobstructed manner. Various systemsor devices have been developed to remove liquid and solid materials froma mouth during a dental procedure. One device that is capable ofremoving saliva is known as a saliva ejector or a low volume ejector. Asaliva ejector typically comprises a plastic flexible tube or straw forplacement in the mouth of a patient. The saliva ejector tube isconnected to a valve which in turn is connected via suction tubing to asource of vacuum. In this manner, saliva is passed through the ejectortube, the valve, and the tubing to be disposed of in a sanitary manner.Once the procedure is completed, the ejector should be discarded and thevalve should be sterilized by autoclave to be used again. Although it issuggested to autoclave the valve after each use, it is known that theautoclave procedure is hardly ever done. Another device that is capableof removing solid materials is a high volume evacuator system. A highvolume evacuator system generally consists of a rigid tube or straw thatmay be inserted into a mouth of a patient with the tube connected to avalve which is connected via a tubing to a source of vacuum. Again, inthis manner, debris may be removed from the mouth of the patient. Afterthe dental procedure, the tube is disposed of and the valve should besterilized for reuse. However, although it is suggested to sterilize thevalve after use, it is known that this suggested procedure is hardlyever followed.

As can be appreciated, the saliva ejector and the high volume evacuatorare used to remove liquids and debris from a mouth of a patient toprevent a patient from swallowing or aspirating liquids and debrisproduced during a dental procedure. One such dental procedure is whendental fillings are removed or replaced. Dental fillings are used tofill cavities in teeth caused by tooth decay. The fillings may consistof a mixture of materials or metals that may include silver, mercury,copper, zinc, tin, or palladium. The fillings typically consist of halfmercury and the other half some other metal or metals that form anamalgam. As is known, mercury is a poison that should be prevented fromcontaminating the environment. When drilling out the amalgam from atooth, the amalgam should be captured or collected to prevent themercury and other metals from entering into the environment such aswaste water. Also, some of the metals, such as silver, are valuable andcan be captured to be recycled for money.

In view of this, various separator systems and devices have beendeveloped to capture the amalgam before it is introduced into wastewater. One system is a vacuum system that has a collecting tank forcollecting amalgam. The amalgam is suctioned from a mouth of a patientthrough a line into the collecting tank by a vacuum pump. Variousproblems exist with this type of system. In particular, such a system isexpensive to purchase, to operate, and to maintain, takes up space in adental office due to its size, and has a number of mechanical parts thatcan fail. Further, after collecting the amalgam, the amalgam must stillbe disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. The dental officetypically sends the amalgam to a recycle center which is a timeconsuming proposition. Also, collection tank need to be cleaned by hand.Cleaning requires an individual to manually clean the tank and any otherancillary equipment which is an unpleasant experience and exposes theindividual to hazardous material.

Another device that has been developed to capture or separate theamalgam is a disposable hand held amalgam separator device that is usedto capture amalgam at the mouth of the patient. The disposable hand heldamalgam separator device has a unitary body having an internal filterthat is used to separate amalgam from other materials, such as saliva,water, tissue, or blood. After the dental procedure is completed and thedevice is filled with amalgam, the device is sent to a recycle center toretrieve any valuable or recyclable metals captured within the device.Although such a device is useful, when attempting to retrieve therecyclable metal from the interior of the device, the device must be cutopen. Cutting the device open may result in the hazardous material beingdispersed into the atmosphere and unto the individual cutting open thedevice. This may require that the room in which the device was opened tobe cleaned resulting in added expense. This also may require theindividual to wear a suit to prevent from coming into contact with thehazardous waste.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a disposable dental wastefilter device that captures any metal or other debris produced during adental procedure for being able to properly dispose of the metal orother debris. It would also be desirable to have a disposable dentalwaste filter device that is easy to install on or remove from a dentalvalve attached to suction tubing connected to a source of vacuum.Further, it would be advantageous to have a disposable dental wastefilter device that is easy to open to retrieve any valuable orrecyclable material captured within the device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one form of the present disclosure, a disposable dental waste filterdevice comprises a body having a receiving end, and a separable caphaving a tip end, the body for receiving and capturing therein amalgamthat enters into the body through the tip end and the separable cap.

In another form of the present disclosure, a disposable dental wastefilter device comprises a body having a receiving end, a central lumenfor receiving and capturing amalgam, and a circular leg portion havingan exterior channel, and a separable cap having a tip end, a circularouter rim having a circular end ridge portion with the ridge portionadapted to be inserted into the exterior channel of the body for a snapfit engagement between the cap and the body, the body for receiving andcapturing therein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip endand the separable cap.

In yet another form of the present disclosure, a disposable dental wastefilter device comprises a body having a receiving end, a central lumenfor receiving and capturing amalgam, a filter, and a circular legportion having an exterior channel, a separable cap having a tip end, acircular outer rim having a circular end ridge portion with the ridgeportion adapted to be inserted into the exterior channel of the body fora snap fit engagement between the cap and the body, the body forreceiving and capturing therein amalgam that enters into the bodythrough the tip end and the separable cap, and a dental valve having arotatable valve sealing body.

The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter devicefor use during a dental procedure that is suitable for one time use andmay be properly recycled after a single use.

The present disclosure is related to a disposable dental waste filterdevice that is easy to open to retrieve any valuable or recyclablematerial captured within the device.

The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter devicethat is easy to install on a dental valve connected to suction tubingwhich is in turn connected to a source of vacuum.

The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter devicethat is small, lightweight, easy to handle, easy to install, and easy tooperate.

The present disclosure also provides a disposable dental waste filterdevice which is of simple construction and design and which can beeasily employed with reliable results.

The present disclosure is related to a disposable dental waste filterdevice that does not require sterilization and captures metal that canbe properly recycled.

The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter devicethat may have an antimicrobial agent or chemical incorporated into thedevice to prevent any bacterial growth on the device. The antimicrobialagent or chemical may also be a coating applied to the disposable dentalwaste filter device.

The present disclosure is related to a disposable dental waste filterthat may be constructed of plastic that is recyclable or biodegradableto reduce the cost of the device and to allow the device to bedisposable and discarded after a single use.

The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter devicethat is used to capture any metal produced during a dental procedure forrecycling the metal.

The present disclosure is related to a disposable dental waste filterdevice that automatically suctions or captures any metal, debris, orother material produced during a dental procedure.

The present disclosure provides a disposable dental waste filter devicethat may be used with a high volume evacuator valve and does not requirethat the valve be retrofitted.

The present disclosure further provides a disposable dental waste filterdevice that does not require the device to be welded or glued duringmanufacturing of the device.

These and other advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent after considering the following detailed specification inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a disposable dental waste filterdevice constructed according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the disposabledental waste filter device shown in FIG. 1 taken along the plane of line2-2;

FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of a disposable dental wastefilter device constructed according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a disposable dental wastefilter device constructed according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the valve sealing body constructed according tothe present disclosure being removed from the device shown in FIG. 3 orthe device shown in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of a disposable dental wastefilter device constructed according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a dental valve ofthe disposable dental waste filter device shown in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of a disposable dental wastefilter device constructed according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a side view of another embodiment of a disposable dental wastefilter device constructed according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of adisposable dental waste filter device constructed according to thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items,number 10 identifies a disposable dental waste filter device for usewith a dental system (not shown) constructed according to the presentdisclosure. With reference now to FIG. 1 , the device 10 comprises abody 12 having a receiving end 14 and a separable cap or lid portion 16having a tip end 18. The valve receiving end 14 is adapted to beconnected to a valve (not shown) or to a vacuum line (not shown) of avacuum system (also not shown). As should be appreciated, the device 10is used with a vacuum or suction system which provides suction throughthe device 10 and a hose or line so that any debris, liquid, or salivathat passes through the device 10 is properly disposed. The device 10 isconstructed of material that allows the device 10 to be disposable andsuitable for one time use. The tip end 18 is adapted to being insertedinto a mouth of a patient during a dental procedure for collection ofamalgam during the dental procedure. Amalgam is captured or collectedwithin the body 12 of the device 10. After the dental procedure iscompleted, the device 10 is sent to a recycle center where any valuablemetals captured within the device 10 may be retrieved by separating thecap portion 16 from the body 12. Further, any hazardous material, suchas mercury, may be retrieved from the device 10 and properly disposed ofby the recycle center.

With reference now to FIG. 2 , an enlarged partial cross-sectional viewof the disposable dental waste filter device 10 is shown. The device 10comprises the body 12 having the receiving end 14 and the cap portion 16having the tip end 18. The body 12, the receiving end 14, the capportion 16, and the end 18 have a central lumen 20 through which debris,metals, and liquids may flow. The cap portion 16 has a circular outerrim 22 having a circular end ridge portion 24. The cap portion 16 alsohas a circular inner rim 26. An annular channel or ring 28 is formedbetween the rims 22 and 26. The body 12 has a circular leg portion 30having an exterior channel or ring 32 that is adapted to receive thecircular end ridge portion 24 for a snap fit engagement of the capportion 16 to the body 12. The leg portion 30 also has a pair of nubs 34and 36 on an interior surface 38 of the leg portion 30. The nubs 34 and36 are used to capture and hold a filter element 40. The filter element40 may be a bag, capsule, or container type filter. The leg portion 30also has a rounded end 42 that abuts a rounded end 44 of the channel 28.This engagement of the ends 42 and 44 further assists in holding andsecuring the cap portion 16 to the body 12.

The body 12 has a central core or lumen 46 which is larger or wider thanthe central lumen 20. The central core 46 is used to capture amalgamthat enters the central core 46 through the central lumen 20. As can beappreciated, the central core 46 is larger than the central lumen 20 tobe able to capture as much amalgam as possible. The central core 46 hasa front end 48 and a rear end 50. The front end 48 has a circular ring52 having a flap 54 inserted therein in a bottom cavity 56. The flap hasa bottom end 58 and a top end 60. The bottom end 58 is fitted into andcaptured within the bottom cavity 56. The top end 60 is free to movebackwards into the central core 46. The circular ring 52 has an upperledge 62 against which the top end 60 of the flap 54 butts against. Theflap 54 is in a closed position when the top end 60 is against the upperledge 62. The flap 54 is in the opened position when the top end 60moves away from the upper ledge 62 into the central core 46. The flap 54is used to contained any amalgam that enters into the central core 46through the tip receiving end 18. The flap 54 prevents any amalgam fromescaping from within the body 12 since the flap 54 can only open in onedirection. An annular channel 64 is also formed between the circularring 52 and the circular inner rim 26. The annular channel 64 is capableof capturing amalgam. The rear end 50 of the central core 46 has afilter 66 that is used to prevent any amalgam from entering into thereceiving end 14, a vacuum system, and ultimately into a waste stream.The filter 66 may be a circular or puck shaped device. The filter 66 isheld in place against a circular rim portion 68. The filter 66 serves asa final stage filter or a secondary filter to the filter element 40 tocapture any amalgam that may get past the filter element 40.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a disposable dental wastefilter device 100 constructed according to the present disclosure. Thedevice 100 comprises a body 102 having a receiving end 104 and aseparable cap or lid portion 106 having a tip end 108 and a dental valve110. The valve receiving end 104 is barbed and adapted to be connectedto a tailpiece (not shown) or to a vacuum hose or line (not shown) of avacuum system (also not shown). As should be appreciated, the device 100is used with a vacuum or suction system which provides suction throughthe device 100 and a hose or line so that any debris, liquid, or salivathat passes through the device 100 is properly disposed. The device 100is constructed of material that allows the device 100 to be disposableand suitable for one time use. The tip end 108 is adapted to beinginserted into a mouth of a patient during a dental procedure forcollection of amalgam during the dental procedure. Amalgam is capturedor collected within the body 102 of the device 100. After the dentalprocedure is completed, the device 100 is sent to a recycle center whereany valuable metals captured within the device 100 may be retrieved byseparating the cap portion 106 from the body 102. Further, any hazardousmaterial, such as mercury, may be retrieved from the device 100 andproperly disposed of by the recycle center. The dental valve 110 is usedto control a source of vacuum connected to the device 100. The dentalvalve 110 has a rotatable valve sealing body 112 having a handle 114 foroperating the rotatable valve sealing body 112. Manual operation of thehandle 114 will open the dental valve 110, or close the dental valve110, or partially open the dental valve 110. The manner in which the capportion 106 is connected to the body 102 is the same as described anddisclosed with respect to the device 10. Further, the interior of thebody 102, the structure of the body 102, and the components within thebody 102 are the same as discussed with respect to the device 10.

With reference now to FIG. 4 , another embodiment of a disposable dentalwaste filter device 150 constructed according to the present disclosure.The device 150 comprises a body 152 having a receiving end 154 having adental valve 156 and a separable cap or lid portion 158 having a tip end160. The valve receiving end 154 is barbed and adapted to be connectedto a tailpiece (not shown) or to a vacuum hose or line (not shown) of avacuum system (also not shown). As should be appreciated, the device 150is used with a vacuum or suction system which provides suction throughthe device 150 and a hose or line so that any debris, liquid, or salivathat passes through the device 150 is properly disposed. The device 150is constructed of material that allows the device 150 to be disposableand suitable for one time use. The tip end 160 is adapted to beinginserted into a mouth of a patient during a dental procedure forcollection of amalgam during the dental procedure. Amalgam is capturedor collected within the body 152 of the device 150. After the dentalprocedure is completed, the device 150 is sent to a recycle center whereany valuable metals captured within the device 150 may be retrieved byseparating the cap portion 158 from the body 152. Further, any hazardousmaterial, such as mercury, may be retrieved from the device 150 andproperly disposed of by the recycle center. The dental valve 156 is usedto control a source of vacuum connected to the device 150. The dentalvalve 156 has a rotatable valve sealing body 162 having a handle 164 foroperating the rotatable valve sealing body 162. Manual operation of thehandle 164 will open the dental valve 156, or close the dental valve156, or partially open the dental valve 156. The manner in which the capportion 160 is connected to the body 152 is the same as described anddisclosed with respect to the device 10. Further, the interior of thebody 152, the structure of the body 152, and the components within thebody 152 are the same as discussed with respect to the device 10.

FIG. 5 depicts the rotatable valve sealing body 112 being removed fromthe dental valve 110 of the device 100. The rotatable valve sealing body112 has a top 170, a central body portion 172 having a bore 174, and abottom 176. The handle 114 is part of the top 170. The central bodyportion 172 also has an annular ridge portion 178 near the top 170. Theridge portion 178 is capable of fitting into a ring (not shown) in asnap fit engagement to secure the rotatable valve sealing body 112within the dental valve 110. The bore 174 is adapted to be aligned witha central lumen (not shown) of the body 102 (FIG. 3 ). When the bore 174is aligned with the lumen, the device 100 is in an opened position andthe source of vacuum will draw any amalgam, fluid, or debris from thetip end 108 through the lumen and the bore 174 into the body 102. As canbe appreciated, fluid will escape through the receiving end 104. In thismanner, fluid may be removed from a mouth during a dental procedure oroperation. The rotatable valve sealing body 112 also has a first opening180 and a second opening 182. The openings 180 and 182 are aligned withthe bore 174. When the rotatable valve sealing body 112 is in a closedposition, the central body portion 172 will block any air flow throughthe dental valve 110 and the device 100. In essence, the bore 174 is nolonger aligned with the tip end 108. The rotatable valve sealing body112 is moved into the closed position by use of the handle 114. Theopenings 180 and 182 are concave and this provides a lower annular ring184 that is formed in the sealing body 112.

With particular reference now to FIG. 6 , another embodiment of adisposable dental waste filter device 200 constructed according to thepresent disclosure. The device 200 comprises a body 202 having areceiving end 204 and a separable cap or lid portion 206 having a tipend 208 and a dental valve 210. The valve receiving end 204 is adaptedto be connected to a tailpiece (not shown) or to a vacuum hose or line(not shown) of a vacuum system (also not shown). As should beappreciated, the device 200 is used with a vacuum or suction systemwhich provides suction through the device 200 and a hose or line so thatany debris, liquid, or saliva that passes through the device 200 isproperly disposed. The device 200 is constructed of material that allowsthe device 200 to be disposable and suitable for one time use. The tipend 208 is adapted to being inserted into a mouth of a patient during adental procedure for collection of amalgam during the dental procedure.Amalgam is captured or collected within the body 202 of the device 200.After the dental procedure is completed, the device 200 is sent to arecycle center where any valuable metals captured within the device 200may be retrieved by separating the cap portion 206 from the body 202.Further, any hazardous material, such as mercury, may be retrieved fromthe device 200 and properly disposed of by the recycle center. Thedental valve 210 is used to control a source of vacuum connected to thedevice 200. The dental valve 210 has a movable valve sealing body 212having a handle 214 for operating the movable valve sealing body 212.Manual operation of the handle 214 will open the dental valve 210, orclose the dental valve 210, or partially open the dental valve 210. Themanner in which the cap portion 206 is connected to the body 202 is thesame as described and disclosed with respect to the device 10. Further,the interior of the body 202, the structure of the body 202, and thecomponents within the body 202 are the same as discussed with respect tothe device 10. Although not shown, it is also contemplated to positionthe dental valve 210 on the receiving end 204 instead of the tip end 208

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the dentalvalve 210. The dental valve 210 comprises an upper extension portion 216formed therein with the upper extension portion 216 having an upperopening 218. A lower extension portion 220 is formed in the dental valve210 having a lower opening 222. The movable valve sealing device 212also has an opening 224 formed therein for allowing the passage of anysaliva, liquid, amalgam, or debris to pass there through when themovable valve sealing device 212 is in an opened position, as isdepicted in FIG. 7 . The movable valve sealing body 212 is capable ofsliding or moving through the openings 218 and 222. In particular, themovable valve sealing body 212 may be positioned to a closed position bygrasping the handle 214 and moving the handle 214 upwardly so that theopening 224 is not within a lumen 226 and thereby blocking any suctionor air flow. In essence, the opening 224 is now positioned in the upperextension portion 216 when the dental valve 210 is in the closedposition.

Referring now to FIG. 8 , another embodiment of a disposable dentalwaste filter device 300 is illustrated. The device 300 comprises a body302 having a receiving end 304 and a separable cap or lid portion 306having a tip end 308. The cap portion 306 is secured to the body 302 byuse of threads 310. Although not shown, the cap portion 306 will alsohave mating threads that thread onto the threads 310. In this manner,the cap portion 306 may be screwed on or off of the body 302. Further,it is possible that the body 302 may be reusable and fitted with a newcap portion 306. It is also contemplated that a removable filtercapsule, container, or bag may be inserted into the body 302 and removedfrom the body 302 to make the body 302 reusable. The receiving end 304is adapted to be connected to a valve (not shown) or to a vacuum line(not shown) of a vacuum system (also not shown). The device 300 is usedwith a vacuum or suction system which provides suction through thedevice 300 and a hose or line so that any debris, liquid, or saliva thatpasses through the device 300 is properly disposed. The device 300 isconstructed of material that allows the device 300 to be disposable andsuitable for one time use. The tip end 308 is adapted to being insertedinto a mouth of a patient during a dental procedure for collection ofamalgam during the dental procedure. Amalgam is captured or collectedwithin the body 302 of the device 300. After the dental procedure iscompleted, the device 300 is sent to a recycle center where any valuablemetals captured within the device 300 may be retrieved by unscrewing thecap portion 306 from the body 302. Further, any hazardous material, suchas mercury, may be retrieved from the device 300 and properly disposedof by the recycle center.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a disposable dental waste filterdevice 350. The device 350 comprises a body 352 having a receiving end354 and a separable cap or lid portion 356 having a tip end 358. The capportion 356 has a swivel mechanism 360 that allows tip end 358 to swivelor move into various positions. For example, the tip end 362 shows howthe tip end 362 may be moved relative to the position of the tip end358. The cap portion 356 may be secured to the body 352 in any mannerherein disclosed. The receiving end 354 is adapted to be connected to avalve (not shown) or to a vacuum line (not shown) of a vacuum system(also not shown). The device 350 is used with a vacuum or suction systemwhich provides suction through the device 350 and a hose or line so thatany debris, liquid, or saliva that passes through the device 350 isproperly disposed. The device 350 is constructed of material that allowsthe device 350 to be disposable and suitable for one time use. The tipend 358 is adapted to being inserted into a mouth of a patient during adental procedure for collection of amalgam during the dental procedure.Amalgam is captured or collected within the body 352 of the device 350.After the dental procedure is completed, the device 350 is sent to arecycle center where any valuable metals captured within the device 350may be retrieved by separating the cap portion 356 from the body 352 andretrieving amalgam captured therein. Further, any hazardous material,such as mercury, may be retrieved from the device 350 and properlydisposed of by the recycle center.

With reference now to FIG. 10 , another embodiment of a disposabledental waste filter device 400 is shown. The device 400 is only shownpartially in this particular view. As should be appreciated, the device400 is similar to the device 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2 ) with the exceptionbeing that the circular rim 68 (FIG. 2 ) has been modified to provide anairflow path in a labyrinth type construction. The device 400 has a body402 having a central lumen 404 and a receiving end 406. A central coreor lumen 408 which is used to capture amalgam that enters into thedevice 400. A filter 410 is provided within the central core 408 and thefilter 410 is provided to prevent any amalgam from entering into thereceiving end 406 through the central lumen 404. The filter 410 may be acircular or puck shaped device. The filter 410 is held in place againsta first circular rim portion 412, a second circular rim portion 414, anda third circular rim portion 416. A first pocket 418 is formed betweenthe first circular rim portion 412 and the second circular rim portion414. A second pocket 420 is formed between the second circular rimportion 414 and the third circular rim portion 416. The pockets 418 and420 provide for flow of air, saliva, liquids, and other matter throughthe filter 410 into the central lumen 404 and out through the receivingend 406.

The disposable dental waste filter devices 10, 100, 150, 200, 300, 350,and 400 may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic,polyethylene, and high density polyethylene or any other suitablematerial that is disposable and recyclable. Any suitable plastic may beused to construct the devices 10, 100, 150, 200, 300, 350, and 400 sothat the devices 10, 100, 150, 200, 300, 350, and 400 may withstand usein a dental operation or procedure and are capable of containinghazardous waste. It is also possible and contemplated to incorporate anantimicrobial agent or chemical in the plastic or to provide a coatingof an antimicrobial agent on the plastic to further preventcross-contamination when using the devices 10, 100, 150, 200, 300, 350,and 400. As can be appreciated, the antimicrobial agent may beincorporated into any of the components of the devices 10, 100, 150,200, 300, 350, and 400. It is further possible and contemplated that thevarious filters described herein may be constructed of various materialssuch as, by way of example only, plastic, aluminum, carbon, coconut,cotton, wool, fibers, spun polymers, spun polypropylene, or any othersuitable filtering media.

From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus beenshown and described herein a disposable dental waste filter device whichfulfills the various advantages sought therefore. It will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes,modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of thesubject disposable dental waste filter device are possible andcontemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses andapplications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limitedonly by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable dental waste filter devicecomprises: a body having a receiving end, a central lumen for receivingand capturing amalgam, a filter, a circular leg portion having anexterior channel, and a dental valve having a rotatable valve sealingbody; and a separable cap having a tip end, a circular outer rim havinga circular end ridge portion with the ridge portion adapted to beinserted into the exterior channel of the body for a snap fit engagementbetween the cap and the body, the body for receiving and capturingtherein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip end and theseparable cap.
 2. The disposable dental waste filter device of claim 1wherein the dental valve device is positioned on the receiving end. 3.The disposable dental waste filter device of claim 1 wherein the dentalvalve device is positioned on the tip end.
 4. The disposable dentalwaste filter device of claim 1 wherein the dental valve comprises arotatable valve sealing body having a top, a central body portion havinga bore, a bottom, and a handle attached to the top.
 5. The disposabledental waste filter device of claim 1 wherein the dental valve comprisesan upper extension portion with the upper extension portion having anupper opening, a lower extension portion having a lower opening, amovable valve sealing device having an opening formed therein.
 6. Thedisposable dental waste filter device of claim 5 wherein the movablevalve sealing device has a handle.
 7. The disposable dental waste filterdevice of claim 1 wherein the body and the cap are constructed ofplastic.
 8. A disposable dental waste filter device comprises: a bodyhaving a receiving end, a central lumen for receiving and capturingamalgam, a circular leg portion having an exterior channel, and a dentalvalve having a rotatable valve sealing body; a separable cap having atip end, a circular outer rim having a circular end ridge portion withthe ridge portion adapted to be inserted into the exterior channel ofthe body for a snap fit engagement between the cap and the body, acircular inner rim, an annular channel formed between the circular outerrim and the circular inner rim, the body for receiving and capturingtherein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip end and theseparable cap; and a filter being captured within the annular channelformed between the circular outer rim and the circular inner rim.
 9. Thedisposable dental waste filter device of claim 8 wherein the dentalvalve device is positioned on the receiving end.
 10. The disposabledental waste filter device of claim 8 wherein the dental valve device ispositioned on the tip end.
 11. The disposable dental waste filter deviceof claim 8 wherein the dental valve comprises a rotatable valve sealingbody having a top, a central body portion having a bore, a bottom, and ahandle attached to the top.
 12. The disposable dental waste filterdevice of claim 8 wherein the dental valve comprises an upper extensionportion with the upper extension portion having an upper opening, alower extension portion having a lower opening, a movable valve sealingdevice having an opening formed therein.
 13. The disposable dental wastefilter device of claim 12 wherein the movable valve sealing device has ahandle.
 14. The disposable dental waster filter device of claim 8wherein the body and the cap are constructed of plastic.
 15. Adisposable dental waste filter device comprises: a body having areceiving end, a central lumen for receiving and capturing amalgam, afilter, a circular leg portion having an exterior channel, and a dentalvalve having a rotatable valve sealing body; and a separable cap havinga tip end, a circular outer rim having a circular end ridge portion withthe ridge portion adapted to be inserted into the exterior channel ofthe body for a snap fit engagement between the cap and the body, acircular inner rim, an annular channel formed between the circular outerrim and the circular inner rim, a circular ring, an annular channelformed between the circular ring and the circular inner rim, the bodyfor receiving and capturing therein amalgam that enters into the bodythrough the tip end and the separable cap; a filter being capturedwithin the annular channel formed between the circular outer rim and thecircular inner rim.
 16. The disposable dental waste filter device ofclaim 15 wherein the dental valve device is positioned on the receivingend.
 17. The disposable dental waste filter device of claim 15 whereinthe dental valve device is positioned on the tip end.
 18. The disposabledental waste filter device of claim 15 wherein the dental valvecomprises a rotatable valve sealing body having a top, a central bodyportion having a bore, a bottom, and a handle attached to the top. 19.The disposable dental waste filter device of claim 15 wherein the dentalvalve comprises an upper extension portion with the upper extensionportion having an upper opening, a lower extension portion having alower opening, a movable valve sealing device having an opening formedtherein.
 20. The disposable dental waste filter device of claim 15wherein the movable valve sealing device has a handle.